The four P’s that must click together at Liverpool for them to unlock deep-lying defences

The Reds lost to relegation-threatened Swansea earlier this week, as last season’s demons returned to haunt Klopp and co.

Monday night presented Liverpool with the perfect opportunity to put further distance between themselves and their rival top 4 contenders who are nipping at their heels – Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

It was the night when the Reds could have consolidated their position with a win, that would have ensured they remained level with Chelsea on points; it would have kept United within touching distance with a gap of just 3 points.

• 'A shark that senses blood'
• Energy
• Creativity
• Drive from midfield

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However, in what served as a not-so-happy reminder of the bygone season, Klopp’s charges reverted to their ‘Robin Hood’ habits and conspired to lose all three points on a late January night at Wales.

Swansea City did not surprise Liverpool with their approach at all; in fact, the Welsh side’s predictability proved to be their strength over the course of 90-odd minutes.

They stayed deep in their own half, allowed the visitors time on the ball and absorbed attacks. This meant the Reds were suffocated for space due to very narrow gaps in the central areas and were often forced wide during attacks.

As has often been the case in recent times, social media reacted to the loss treating it as a catastrophe minus context; the instant reactions bemoaned the absence of Philippe Coutinho while others cried out for his replacement.

The Reds have won enough games this very season without their ex-magician; blaming his absence for the loss would be hugely disrespectful to those who are fighting for the team’s cause.

SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk sees his header go wide during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)c

Aside of the fact that a majority of the team chose not to turn up in full swing at the Liberty on Monday, what cost Liverpool is the lack of sync in their four Ps; one of these Ps is not a former number 10 whose name incidentally starts with the same letter.

Klopp’s Liverpool have undeniably struggled against breaking down organized, deep-lying defences in the past. However, when the Reds saw off the likes of Huddersfield, Burnley and Leicester this season, it seemed like they had turned a corner.

This was attributable to the four Ps: patience, probing, pressing and pace, all of which are inter-dependent and must co-exist in order to be effective in countering opponents.

READ MORE: Why is Emre Can such a divisive figure at Liverpool?

SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah shoots during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Patience and probing

Irrespective of whether their played at Anfield or away, the patient build-ups formed a vital part of the Reds’ strategy. It made sure that the opposition defence was constantly harried and the slightest chink in their armour was taken advantage of.

Since Klopp’s men were allowed sufficient time on the ball, they remained energetic enough to keep probing the opposition backline for the slightest gap or lapse of concentration.

Burnley have earned themselves a place among the top 7 Premier League sides with more than a third of the season gone. It proves they are there by virtue of prowess and not fortune. The Clarets were also the side that brought the Reds crashing back to earth at Turf Moor last season, after the opening pulsating thriller against Arsenal (4-3 in favour of LFC).

When Sean Dyche’s side were dispatched on their home turf at the turn of the year, Liverpool fans could have been forgiven for thinking the darker days of previous seasons – losing points against the botto eight sides – had now been left behind.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool’s Emre Can and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Pressing

Gegenpressing is what brought Klopp fame at Borussia Dortmund; the German has, however, adapted the style to suit his LFC squad when they face the league’s lower lights.

The ‘press’ is no longer heavy metal style against such sides, but a synchronised attempt to force the ball in behind the defensive walls or win a crucial set piece opportunity in promising/dangerous areas.

Pace
Space is often a luxury for Liverpool against sides that play deep in their own half. In such instances, quickness of thought and the pace of execution of a move is the biggest differentiator.

This blistering pace that can catch opponents by surprise, leaving them vulnerable to attacks – from both the flanks as well as central areas.

It is also what Liverpool lacked against the bottom-placed Welshmen. The Reds midfield was slow on the uptake and release of the ball, which gave the hosts enough and more time to reorganize themselves at the back.

READ MORE: Academy Watch: Liverpool sign Tony Gallagher, U18s crash out of FA Youth Cup

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the winning goal at the Kop end to seal a 2-1 victory over Everton on his debut during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The verdict

The mismatched execution of the four Ps, in addition to poor performances across the pitch, is what led to the Reds’ first loss after going 18 games unbeaten across competitions. It also serves as the perfect wake-up call to Klopp and co – there is no place for complacency.

The Reds will need to rediscover the desire and resilience to keep pushing for the best possible finish in the league come May.

In addition to this, Saturday and next week’s games – against West Brom in the FA cup and Huddersfield Town in the PL – will tell whether the German and his team have learnt from the Swansea loss, and bring back the four pillars to aid in their quest to see off deep-lying defences.

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Source: anfieldhq.com